November 06, 2009

While we continue our marketing efforts and develop additional programs with all our technology, we wanted to share with you the latest developments pertaining to the IsoTorque® differential.

Building on the success of the IsoTorque’s first place results in the 2009 SCCA National Champion Pontiac Solstice, Torvec has expanded its relationship with race car driver and former Director of GM Performance, John Heinricy, to assist Torvec in developing procedures for collecting and preparing performance data specifically for use by OEMs (car manufacturers).

John is considered one of the premier racers in the country holding 11 national championships (3rd most), and several Nurburgring track records. John worked for GM for over 25 years and held such key positions as assistant chief engineer for Corvette and was Director of GM Performance for 7 years until his retirement at the end of 2008.

Click For IsoTorque Corvette Video

John and Andrew Gleasman determined that the best car to collect the necessary performance data would be GM’s C6 Corvette, and Joe Aquilante of Phoenix Performance was generous enough to allow us to use their race tuned Corvette. This Corvette is fully instrumented – meaning it is able to record GPS position, speed, acceleration and G-forces for each run. Using the same IsoTorque gears used in our 300 HP Nissan 350Z, Torvec built a differential for the 475+ HP Corvette, and scheduled track time at New Jersey Motorsports Park for the end of October.

Click For Event Video

John and Andrew also were invited to attend the Bob Lutz Cadillac CTS-V Challenge held October 29, 2009 at Monticello Motorsports Club. John was there in a more official capacity, having helped develop the CTS-V and setting the Nurburgring track record for a sedan. For two days Andrew had the pleasure of working with several GM platform and development engineers in preparation for the main event on the 29 th. The main event was very exciting, with many high performance cars in attendance, major media outlets, including Speed TV and their chase helicopter, and of course the ever spirited Bob Lutz (Vice Chairman of GM) in attendance.

After the Challenge, John and Andrew returned to southern New Jersey and NJMP to conduct an “A – B” evaluation of the Corvette. In this “A – B” comparison, the Corvette equipped with a stock limited slip differential was driven around 2.25 mile Thunderbolt racetrack as quickly as possible for the best lap time and then this test was repeated with the IsoTorque® being installed in the same car, same driver (John) on the same day and without any other modifications to the car. Torvec’s goal was to have the IsoTorque reduce the lap times by ¾ - 1 second as compared to the limited slip which was achieved. This reduction is very significant and is unheard of in racing when making only one change to a fully race prepared car and if this were a pure production street car the time reduction would be even greater. This reduction in lap time is the equivalent having an additional 40+ HP in the car. The digital telemetry that was collected will help supply additional information to GM and other companies on the benefits of the IsoTorque.

Based upon the previous day’s success, Phoenix Performance entered the IsoTorque equipped #32 Corvette into the National Auto Sports Association (NASA) race the following day. We are happy to report the #32 Corvette, driven by Andrew Aquilante in a field of 50 cars which included different classes, won first place overall. It won despite being pitted “against cars that should be much faster”(Porsches, Ferraris) according to John Heinricy. This victory comes in no small part from Andrew Aquilante’s excellent driving, a superbly built car, and the advantages the IsoTorque provides.

We believe these successful performances have enhanced our standing with General Motors and other car manufacturers. We have demonstrated that the IsoTorque differential contributes significantly to the improved automotive handling and performance, efficiency and safety. We have demonstrated the IsoTorque’s durability. And, we have demonstrated that the IsoTorque successfully performs in the rugged world of high performance automotive racing. However, the IsoTorque’s benefits are not limited to the world of high performance, but all automobiles will benefit greatly from what the IsoTorque has to offer in a world market where over 100 million differentials are produced annually.